Surgical instrument with illumination mechanism

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, and an illumination mechanism. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and is configured to manipulate tissue. The illumination mechanism includes an actuator, at least one light, and at least one elongated light rod. The actuator is disposed in operative engagement with the housing. The at least one light includes a shell and is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The at least one elongated light rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and with the at least one light. The at least one light is movable from a first position where a portion of the shell is flush with the outer wall of the elongated portion to a second position where the portion of the shell is disposed at an angle relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/243,798, filed on Sep. 14, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to instruments for surgically manipulating tissue and, more specifically, to an elongated surgical instrument including an illumination mechanism for illuminating tissue during a surgical procedure.

Various types of surgical instruments used to surgically manipulate and join tissue are known in the art, and are commonly used, for example, for closure of tissue or organs in transection, resection, anastomoses, for occlusion of organs in thoracic and abdominal procedures, and for electrosurgically fusing or sealing tissue.

One example of such a surgical instrument is a vessel sealing instrument, which may include two jaw members, an approximation mechanism for approximating the jaw members, and a sealing mechanism for applying energy to tissue held between the jaw members to seal the tissue, for example.

Additionally, a loading unit (e.g., a single use loading unit or a disposable loading unit) may be attached to an elongated or endoscopic portion of several types of surgical instruments. Such loading units allow surgical instruments to have greater versatility, for example. The loading units may be configured for a single use, and/or may be configured for multiple uses.

Further, it may be difficult for a surgeon or physician to fully visualize the tissue being manipulated, sealed or otherwise treated due to the orientation of the surgical instrument and the space limitations at and near the target tissue, which may hinder the use of a separate light source, for example. Thus, it may be suitable to provide a surgical instrument having an illumination mechanism to help obtain a better view of the target tissue during a surgical procedure. Such a surgical instrument may also be used in connection with an endoscope, for instance.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to a surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, and an illumination mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing and including an outer wall. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and is configured to manipulate tissue. The illumination mechanism includes an actuator, at least one light, and at least one elongated light rod. The actuator is disposed in operative engagement with the housing. The at least one light has a shell and is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The at least one elongated light rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and with the at least one light. The at least one light is movable from a first position where a portion of the shell of the at least one light is flush with the outer wall of the elongated portion to a second position where the portion of the shell of the at least one light is disposed at an angle relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.

In aspects, the at least one light may be pivotable from the first position to the second position.

In aspects, the at least one elongated light rod may extend within the outer wall of the elongated portion.

In aspects, when the at least one light is in the second position, the shell of the at least one light may be disposed at an angle of between about 10° and about 30° relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.

In aspects, movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position may cause the at least one light to move from the first position to the second position. In disclosed aspects, the actuator of the illumination mechanism may be biased toward the first position. In disclosed aspects, movement of the actuator from the first position to the second positions may cause the at least one light to turn on. In disclosed aspects, a lip of the actuator may engage a detent of the housing when the actuator is in the second position to help maintain the actuator in the second position.

In aspects, the surgical instrument may include an actuation rod extending through the elongated portion and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector. The at least one elongated light rod may be disposed radially outward of the actuation rod. In disclosed aspects, the illumination mechanism may include a ring radially surrounding a proximal portion of the actuation rod and which may be longitudinally translatable relative to the actuation rod. The ring may be disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and connected to the at least one elongated light rod.

In aspects, the illumination mechanism may include an L-shaped connector disposed at least partially within the housing and interconnecting the actuator and the at least one elongated light rod.

The disclosure also relates to a surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, and an illumination mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing an includes an outer wall. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and is configured to manipulate tissue. The illumination mechanism includes an actuator, a plurality of lights, and a plurality of elongated light rods. A portion of the actuator extends through an aperture in the housing. Each light of the plurality of lights includes a shell. Each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and with one light of the plurality of lights. Movement of the actuator relative to the housing from a first position to a second position causes the plurality of lights to turn on and causes the plurality of lights to pivot from a first position where a portion of the shell is flush with the outer wall of the elongated portion to a second position where the portion the shell is disposed at an angle relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.

In aspects, movement of the actuator relative to the housing from the second position to the first position may cause the plurality of lights to turn off and may cause the plurality of lights to move from the second position to the first position.

In aspects, the illumination mechanism may include an L-shaped connector disposed within the housing and interconnecting the actuator and the plurality of elongated light rods.

In aspects, the surgical instrument may include an actuation rod extending through the elongated portion and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector. The plurality of elongated light rods may be disposed radially outward of the actuation rod. Distal movement of the actuation rod relative to the plurality of elongated light rods may effect a function of the end effector.

In aspects, a lip of the actuator may engage a detent of the housing when the actuator is in the second position to help maintain the actuator in the second position, and the actuator may be biased toward the first position.

The present disclosure also relates to a surgical instrument comprising an elongated portion, an end effector, and an illumination mechanism. The elongated portion includes an outer wall. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and is configured to manipulate tissue. The illumination mechanism includes an actuator, a plurality of lights, and a plurality of elongated light rods. Each light of the plurality of lights has a shell, and each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and with one light of the plurality of lights. Movement of the actuator relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion from a first position to a second position causes the plurality of lights to turn on and causes the plurality of lights to pivot from a first position where a portion of the shell is flush with the outer wall of the elongated portion to a second position where the portion the shell is disposed at an angle relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.

In aspects, each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods may extend within the outer wall of the elongated portion.

In aspects, movement of the actuator relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion from the second position to the first position may cause the plurality of lights to turn off and may cause the plurality of lights to move from the second position to the first position.

In aspects, the actuator may be biased toward the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, cut-away view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of portions of an illumination mechanism of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the surgical instrument along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 illustrating a plurality of lights in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of a housing of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 illustrating an actuator of the illumination mechanism in a distal position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the surgical instrument shown in FIG. 7 illustrating the plurality of lights in closed position; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the portion of a housing of the surgical instrument shown in FIG. 8 illustrating the actuator of the illumination mechanism in a proximal position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosed surgical instrument are described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term “proximal” refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, e.g., surgeon or physician, while the term “distal” refers to that part or component farther away from the user.

FIGS. 1-10 illustrate a surgical instrument in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure generally designated as reference numeral 100. While the surgical instrument 100 in the accompanying figures is depicted as a vessel sealing instrument, the surgical instrument 100 of the disclosure is not limited to a vessel sealing instrument; the surgical instrument 100 may be any suitable surgical instrument including but not limited to a surgical stapling instrument, a surgical grasper, a surgical clip applier, a circular stapling instrument, etc.

With particular reference to FIG. 1 , the surgical instrument 100 includes a housing 105, a handle assembly 110, an elongated portion 120 extending distally from the housing 105 and defining a longitudinal axis “A-A,” an end effector 200 disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated portion 120, and an illumination mechanism 500 (portions of which are shown in FIG. 1 ). While FIG. 1 illustrates the surgical instrument 100 including a handle assembly including a movable handle 112 and a stationary handle 114, other types of handles can be used such as, for example, powered, motor-driven, hydraulic, ratcheting, etc. As used herein, “handle assembly” encompasses all types of handle assemblies. Additionally, the surgical instrument 100 and components thereof are usable as part of a robotic surgical system. The end effector 200 may be part of a loading unit, which is releasably attachable to the elongated portion 120 of surgical instrument 100, e.g., to allow surgical instrument 100 to have greater versatility, or the end effector 200 may be fixedly engaged with the elongated portion 120.

In the illustrated aspect, the surgical instrument 100 includes an actuation rod 140 (FIGS. 3, 8 and 10 ) that is movable longitudinally in response to actuation of the handle assembly 110 (e.g., the movable handle 112) to approximate at least one jaw member relative to another jaw member of the end effector 200. As shown, the actuation rod 140 extends through the elongated portion 120 of the surgical instrument 100.

Various features of the illumination mechanism 500 are shown in FIGS. 2-10 . The illumination mechanism 500 includes an actuator 510, a switch 520, a connector 530, a plurality of elongated light rods 540, and a plurality of lights 550. Each light of the plurality of lights 550 may include more than one illuminator 551, such as a light emitting diode (LED). Generally, distal movement of the actuator 510 both causes the plurality of lights 550 to turn on, and causes the plurality of lights 550 to pivot from a first, closed position where a shell 552 of each light of the plurality of lights 550 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis “A-A” and where at least a portion of the shell 552 is generally flush with an outer wall 122 of the elongated portion 120 (FIG. 9 ) to a second, open position where the shell 552 of each light of the plurality of lights 550 is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis “A-A” and the shell 552 (or at least the portion of the shell 552 that was generally flush with the outer wall 122) is proud of the outer wall 122 of the elongated portion 120 (FIGS. 2 and 7 ). While the accompanying figures depict the plurality of lights 550 including four lights and four elongated light rods, the plurality of lights 550 may include more or fewer than four lights without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the number of elongated light rods may be more, fewer, or the same as the number of lights. Further, while the accompanying figures may depict the shell 552 having linear walls (see FIG. 5 ), the shell 552 may have a contour to match the contour of the outer wall 122 of the elongated portion 120.

With particular reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 , the actuator 510 includes a slider 512, a leg 514 extending from the slider 512, and a finger 516 extending distally from the leg 514. The slider 512 extends through an aperture 106 in the housing 105 and is slidable relative to the housing 105 between a first, proximal position where the finger 516 is free from contact with the switch 520 (FIG. 10 ), and a second, distal position where the finger 516 is in contact with the switch 520 (FIG. 8 ). In aspects, the switch 520 includes a printed circuit board, and contact between the finger 516 of the actuator 510 and the switch 520 causes the plurality of lights 550 to turn on; the plurality of lights 550 are off when the finger 516 is not in contact with the switch 520.

Additionally, a distal portion of the slider 512 includes a lip 513 configured to engage a corresponding detent 107 of the housing when the slider 512 is in the second, distal position (FIG. 8 ). The engagement between the lip 513 and the detent 107 helps maintain the slider 512 in the second, distal position, which corresponds to the plurality of lights 550 being on. A biasing element 518, e.g., a torsion spring, is engaged with the leg 514 of the actuator 510 and a portion of the housing 105, and is configured to bias the actuator 510 proximally. The engagement between the lip 513 and the detent 107 overcomes the proximally-directed force enacted by the biasing element 518 and helps maintain the slider 512 in the second, distal position.

With particular reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 , the leg 514 of the actuator 510 is mechanically engaged with the connector 530. The connector 530 is generally L-shaped, and includes a first leg 532, and a second leg 534. The first leg 532 of the connector 530 is mechanically engaged with the actuator 510, and the second leg 534 of the connector 530 is mechanically engaged with the plurality of elongated light rods 540. More particularly, the second leg 534 of the connector 530 includes a ring 535 (FIG. 6 ) that radially surrounds and is longitudinally translatable relative to the actuation rod 140. A proximal end 542 of each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods 540 extends distally from the ring 535. A distal end 544 of each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods 540 is pivotally coupled to one light of the plurality of lights 550, such that each light of the plurality of lights 550 is pivotable about a respective pivot pin 560. In aspects, the plurality of lights 550 is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated portion 120 of the surgical instrument 100, or, alternatively, the plurality of lights 550 is disposed on the end effector 200 of the surgical instrument 100.

Distal movement of the actuator 510 causes a corresponding distal movement of the connector 530, which causes a corresponding distal movement of the plurality of elongated light rods 540 relative to the housing 105 and relative to the elongated portion 120 of the surgical instrument 100. The distal movement of the plurality of elongated light rods 540 causes the plurality of lights 550 to pivot about the pivot pins 560, and move from the first position where the shell 552 of each light of the plurality of lights 550 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis “A-A” and generally flush with the outer wall 122 of the elongated portion 120 (FIG. 9 ) to a second position where the shell 552 of each light of the plurality of lights 550 is disposed at an angle α relative to the longitudinal axis “A-A” and is proud of the outer wall 122 of the elongated portion 120 (FIG. 7 ). In aspects, the angle α may be between about 10° and about 30°, for instance, although larger and smaller angles are contemplated by the disclosure.

In use, when the plurality of lights 550 is in the first position, corresponding to the shell 552 of each light being generally flush with the outer wall 122 of the elongated portion 120 (FIG. 9 ), the end effector 200 of the surgical instrument 100 is positioned adjacent target tissue. Depending on the type of surgical instrument being used and/or the type and location of surgical procedure to be performed, the end effector 200 and part of the elongated portion 120 of the surgical instrument 100 may be inserted through a trocar or other access device. The plurality of lights 550 being in the first position helps minimize the diameter of the end effector 200 and/or elongated portion 120 to facilitate entry through a trocar, for instance.

Next, a user slides the actuator 510 distally to both (e.g., simultaneously) turn on the plurality of lights 550, and to pivot the plurality of lights 550 to the second position (FIG. 7 ) to help illuminate target tissue. Since, in aspects, the distal portion of the surgical instrument 100 has already passed through a trocar, the movement of the plurality of lights 550 to the second position, which thereby increases an overall diameter of a distal portion of the surgical instrument 100, does not detrimentally impact the functioning of or ability to manipulate, position or re-position the surgical instrument 100.

Prior to removing the surgical instrument 100 from the surgical site (e.g., through a trocar), the user slides the actuator 510 proximally which both turns off the plurality of lights 550 and returns the plurality of lights 550 to the first position where the shell 552 is generally flush with the outer wall 122 of the elongated portion 120. Next, when the distal portion of the surgical instrument 100 has a relatively small overall diameter, the surgical instrument 100 can be removed from the surgical site.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but merely as illustrations of various embodiments thereof. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various aspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; an elongated portion extending distally from the housing and including an outer wall; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and configured to manipulate tissue; and an illumination mechanism including: an actuator disposed in operative engagement with the housing; at least one light having a shell and disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion; and at least one elongated light rod disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and with the at least one light, wherein the at least one light is movable from a first position where a portion of the shell of the at least one light is flush with the outer wall of the elongated portion to a second position where the portion the shell of the at least one light is disposed at an angle relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.
 2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light is pivotable from the first position to the second position.
 3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated light rod extends within the outer wall of the elongated portion.
 4. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein when the at least one light is in the second position, the shell of the at least one light is disposed at an angle of between about 10° and about 30° relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.
 5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position causes the at least one light to move from the first position to the second position.
 6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the actuator of the illumination mechanism is biased toward the first position.
 7. The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes the at least one light to turn on.
 8. The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein a lip of the actuator engages a detent of the housing when the actuator is in the second position to help maintain the actuator in the second position.
 9. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further including an actuation rod extending through the elongated portion and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, wherein the at least one elongated light rod is disposed radially outward of the actuation rod.
 10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the illumination mechanism includes a ring radially surrounding a proximal portion of the actuation rod and is longitudinally translatable relative to the actuation rod, the ring disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and connected to the at least one elongated light rod.
 11. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the illumination mechanism an L-shaped connector disposed at least partially within the housing and interconnecting the actuator and the at least one elongated light rod.
 12. A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; an elongated portion extending distally from the housing and including an outer wall; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and configured to manipulate tissue; and an illumination mechanism including an actuator, a plurality of lights, and a plurality of elongated light rods, a portion of the actuator extending through an aperture in the housing, each light of the plurality of lights having a shell, and each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and with one light of the plurality of lights, wherein movement of the actuator relative to the housing from a first position to a second position causes the plurality of lights to turn on and causes the plurality of lights to pivot from a first position where a portion of the shell is flush with the outer wall of the elongated portion to a second position where the portion the shell is disposed at an angle relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.
 13. The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein movement of the actuator relative to the housing from the second position to the first position causes the plurality of lights to turn off and causes the plurality of lights to move from the second position to the first position.
 14. The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the illumination mechanism includes an L-shaped connector disposed within the housing and interconnecting the actuator and the plurality of elongated light rods.
 15. The surgical instrument according to claim 12, further including an actuation rod extending through the elongated portion and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, wherein the plurality of elongated light rods is disposed radially outward of the actuation rod, and wherein distal movement of the actuation rod relative to the plurality of elongated light rods effects a function of the end effector.
 16. The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein a lip of the actuator engages a detent of the housing when the actuator is in the second position to help maintain the actuator in the second position, and wherein the actuator is biased toward the first position.
 17. A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongated portion including an outer wall; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and configured to manipulate tissue; and an illumination mechanism including an actuator, a plurality of lights, and a plurality of elongated light rods, each light of the plurality of lights having a shell, and each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and with one light of the plurality of lights, wherein movement of the actuator relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion from a first position to a second position causes the plurality of lights to turn on and causes the plurality of lights to pivot from a first position where a portion of the shell is flush with the outer wall of the elongated portion to a second position where the portion the shell is disposed at an angle relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion.
 18. The surgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein each elongated light rod of the plurality of elongated light rods extends within the outer wall of the elongated portion.
 19. The surgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein movement of the actuator relative to the outer wall of the elongated portion from the second position to the first position causes the plurality of lights to turn off and causes the plurality of lights to move from the second position to the first position.
 20. The surgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein the actuator is biased toward the first position. 